The eighth annual "TURN OFF TV DAY", sponsored by Morality in Media [475 Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10115, 212/870-3222] will involve millions of people across the country who will keep their TV screens darkened on FEBRUARY 14, 1999 to protest indecency, profanity and violence on broadcast and cable television. "TURN OFF TV DAY" is a great way to demand more social responsibility from network executives and television advertisers!

Beware of TVs Immoral Impact

** The cumulative weight of the messages coming over the airwaves is having a significant impact on the health and well-being of our families and our communities, and that they are, in part, responsible for the fact that 80% of Americans in a recent poll said they believe this nation is in a moral crisis and that our common values are disintegrating.- [U.S. Senator Lieberman (D-CT), Traditional Values Coalition Report, Summer 1997]

** Television has become very influential in molding young minds and shaping their values. Children are constantly bombarded with messages, via the TV, that are often in conflict with the values parents want taught. All messages from the media teach values, for better or for worse.

** Television programmers seem to be increasingly preoccupied with violence and brutality, the undermining of the family, and the glorification of promiscuity, foul language and bizarre behavior. 92% of USA Weekend readers who participated in a recent survey said TV shows "are more offensive than ever." [USA Weekend, 5/16/97] 81% of Americans "think TV contributes to the decline of family values." [U.S. News & World Report, 4/15/96] 67% of Americans blame TV and other popular entertainment for the "problem of low morals and personal character in this country." [Newsweek, 6/13/94]

** Because of TVs impact on the moral climate of our nation, it is more important than ever that Americans let network executives and television advertisers know that viewing audiences expect them to provide high quality programming. Beware of TVs Violence

** Psychologically harmful violence is pervasive on broadcast and cable TV shows. "The risks of viewing the most common depictions of televised violence include learning to behave violently, becoming more desensitized to the harmful consequences of violence, and become more fearful of being attacked." [Yearlong study of TV programming by four Universities, and funded by the cable industry, Spring 1996]

** 61% of programs, overall, contain some violence. During prime-time programming, violent content increased 14% on the broadcast networks.

** Most disturbing is that the presentation of violence continues to be "glamorized and sanitized."

** Nearly three-quarters of violent scenes contained no remorse, criticism or penalty for violence.

** The violent content is a concern, but the repetition of TV violence is also dangerous. Over the years, children will watch thousands of violent episodes. [Three-year study, funded by Cable Television and conducted by the Universities of CA, TX, NC and WI, as reported in The Kansas City Star, 4/17/98

** It doesnt appear as though the people responsible for putting shows on the air have a major desire to curb the violence. Theyre making it look fun, easy, entertaining and an acceptable way to solve problems, says LeAnn Smith, director of Kansas City Alliance for Nonviolent Programming.

** "There is absolutely no doubt that higher levels of viewing violence on television are correlated with increased acceptance of aggressive attitudes and increased aggressive behavior." [American Psychological Association Commission on Violence & Youth, Vol l, as reported in AFA, 1/21/98]

** By age 18, the American teenager will have witnessed 200,000 violent acts on TV, including 40,000 murders. [National Coalition of Television Violence, 1994 study] Beware of TVs "Family Hour"

** The safe haven once provided during the "Family Hour", 8 to 9 pm, is no longer safe or family friendly. Once taboo words, expressions and subjects have flooded the family-time viewing hours - not only on the movie channels and Fox Network, but also on the big three networks. [Omaha World-Herald, reported in AFA Journal Nov/Dec, 1995]

** A study commissioned by the Kaiser Family Foundation and Children NOW reports that the "Family Hour," the 8 to 9 pm slot, is less than family friendly. The study found that sexual behavior or verbal references to sex appears in 75% of the programs, with 12% of the sexual interactions involving teens. In 1976, the year the family hour became official policy with the major networks, 26% of the programs contained sexual behavior. Only 6% of shows with sexual content emphasized sexual risks and responsibilities. [Washington Times 12/12/96]

** This studys focus on the family hours is significant because more children watch television during this time slot - over one million children - than on weekday afternoons or Saturday mornings. [The New American, 3/3/97]

** There is an average of 8.5 incidents of sexual behavior in an hour of family programming. [W.Times 12/12/96]

Taming the "TV Habit"

1. Establish a TV Viewing Policy: Limit viewing time; require that all shows be pre-approved; remove TVs from childrens bedrooms; view programs as a family and discuss content.

2. Plan Family Activities That LEAVE THE TV OFF: Pray together; read; plan skits or nature walks; visit a nursing home; bake cookies; listen to Christian radio; invite friends over; work on hobbies, etc.

3. Develop a Daily Devotional Habit: Encourage your children to make the daily reading of Gods Word and praying a greater priority than TV watching.

4. Follow Gods Advice in Psalm 101:3: King David wrote, "I will set no worthless thing before my eyes." [Generation at Risk, by Robert Demoss, Jr., Focus on the Family, 1994]